joy, joy deep in my soul

Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts. Psalms 119:2 NLT

Searching for the Lord with all our hearts is the criteria for joy! If we are half-hearted we receive a mediocre result. 

The Lord is looking for those who will search for Him with all their hearts.

Did you ever play hide and seek with a child. They are determined to find you and will not give up, unless you are too well hidden. The joy you have in the game hiding and waiting is enormous.  The Lord is the same. He is so delighted that we seek Him.

joy

What joy overwhelms everyone who keeps the ways of God, those who seek him as their heart’s passion! Psalms 119:2 TPT

My joy comes from a different place. It is knowing Jesus is my goodness, my saviour, my righteousness. 

I tried living and being good in myself,and failed.  So, sorry Psalmist not joyful!

However, daily walking in my salvation with faith towards Jesus, makes me very joyful! Amen!

preach the gospel

And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.

Mark 16:15 NLT

When we have a bargain we want to talk about it, when we have an amazing windfall we want to boast about it. When we have all our sins forgiven we need to tell the world the good news. We can be so intimidated so as to not share, if we allow it to happen.

In the Law course I am studying I am finding prejudice against the church, Christian schools and Christians. The text book cites the unfairness that churches do not pay taxes and that Christian schools are given funds from the general coffers, and want to discriminate in who they employ, and what they teach. We are seen as users of the system, and not fair players. If this is allowed to rule us we will be marginalised, and placed in a corner.

What is the answer? How about we go, trusting the Lord for opportunities. He will provide. Amen!

all the world

And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.

Mark 16:15 NLT

All thr world resonates with me. I am a globalist when it comes to interests and passions. Whilst I share willingly with neighbours and friends locally I see places I wish to venture to and people I wish to talk to. As English becomes a dominant language it makes the whole world more accessible to us.

This term at uni I am studying the writing systems of the world.  It helps with my focus, and fuels it. As I am on the homeward stretch I can see the eventuality of being free to travel. Praise God!

Yet, even as I wait, nothing stops me from sharing my faith with all I know. It is good news indeed! Amen!

Gates and courts

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭100‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

How do you enter a persons home, firstly through the gate.  A lot of homes have dogs, some have security gates. To enter you need an invitation or a friend on the inside. To make it into the courts, a royal place indeed, requires excellent credentials.

To enter the gate of the king requires an invitation and    High credentials. Yet we are invited into the gates and courts of the king of kings. How is this possible? Someone paid the price for us to enter, a perfect price for all who choose to enter in. Jesus, the Son of God paid the price. He offered Himself as a perfect price. No one had ever been found good enough, no animal sacrifice ever was found enough, yet the Son of God was.

Why are we invited through the gates of the King of kings let alone into His courts? Is He desperate for friends? Yes! He has a never-ending passion for fellowship with His creation, a thirst that cannot be quenched. Yes He has many friends but is not yet satisfied. He goes further than making us friends, He calls us family! We are easily satisfied but we have a God who isn’t. We will never comprehend His hunger, yet, He invites us in. This is not just for an evening, a weekend, but for all eternity! Crazy!

Why not accept the invitation! Amen!

thanksgiving

Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. Psalms 100:4 NLT

Giving thanks for He is God, that He is with us and His marvellous salvation is right no matter what is going on. Circumstances may not be favourable, people may not be favourable but God is consistent. Eternity is always the prize.

This past week I read of new Christians who had been tortured for their faith, and who were devastated because they believed God would rescue them from torture. That must have been very hard for them to bear. I do not have an answer but I do have prayer for their comfort.

I read a book about a Christian who was jailed in Turkey because he was accused of wrongdoing,  when he was ministering to the Kurds. He struggled being in prison, and the experience destroyed him emotionally. Again, I do not have an answer but I can pray.

I know that when I have treated unfairly I praise the Lord for His goodness and His outcome. It does not stop the treatment but it helps me find God in the fire. God in the fire is what Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had, and God used their testimony to change a king's heart.

Pray and thanksgiving changes us and helps us find God. Amen!

He loves all

A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need. Proverbs 17:17 NLT

I have a most loyal friend, my dog Oscar.  Recently we had a young woman and her dog live with us for a few months. They left to go to their own unit on Thursday. Oscar and the other dog Ollie played constantly. I thought he might miss the companionship. However, he is back to me and loving it. I appreciate it as well.

Jesus has many He calls friend, but we are not left out. He treats us as if we are the only ones. If we seek Him, He is there. Not many seek Him as if their life depends on Him, so He appreciates those who do.

Remember John 15 says: abide in Me and I will abide in you. If we stay put we benefit.

This morning, whilst walking, Oscar dragged me to see a woman I did not notice. I was able to share Christ with her because she asked me why I was always joyful. I told her. She asked questions and seemed interested. As I left I asked the Lord to use the bits of our conversation that meant most to this dear lady. He will! He loves her also. Amen!